Luxury Nile sailing
Azhar
A handcrafted lateen-sail dahabiya for just sixteen guests: unhurried, intimate, and moored each night where the great cruisers never go.
River Nile, Egypt · Photo: Azhar Dahabiya
About the boat
Built in the traditional manner from warm hardwoods and dressed with mashrabiya screens, the Azhar pairs the romance of a bygone age with the comfort of a private yacht.
Her shallow draft lets her moor on deserted islands and reach temples the big ships sail straight past. When the wind is fair the engines fall silent and she moves on canvas alone.
The eight suites are named Papyrus, Lotus, Camelia, Lily, Rose, Jasmin, Violet and Dalia, each with its own en-suite bath and a wide window onto the river. King, twin and step-free accessible configurations are available.
- Sun deck with jacuzzi and sun loungers
- Salt and massage room
- Restaurant and main bar
- Reading salon
- Nespresso and minibar in every suite
- Step-free accessible suite with roll-in shower
- Guests
- 16
- Suites
- 8
- Crew
- 14
- Length
- 55 m
- Decks
- 3
- Lateen sails
- 2
Routes and rates
5 days, 4 nights
Esna to Aswan
The classic upstream passage, sailing with the prevailing wind past temples the great cruisers never reach, mooring on quiet islands each night.
$4,400 per double cabin. $3,200 per single cabin.
4 days, 3 nights
Aswan to Esna
The gentle downstream return, carried by the current through the same timeless landscape at an even slower pace.
$3,300 per double cabin. $2,400 per single cabin.
7 days, 6 nights
The Grand Nile Journey
The complete passage, from the painted ceilings of Dendera, across the Theban necropolis, down to the temples of Aswan and Abu Simbel.
On request
5 or 7 nights
Aswan to Luxor, fixed dates
$525 per person, per night
By arrangement
Private charter
Take the entire Azhar for your family or friends, with the itinerary, table and pace shaped entirely around you.
On request
Rates and dates are confirmed in writing with your quote.
Fixed departure dates
- 14–19 Nov 20265 nights
- 14–21 Nov 20267 nights
- 28 Nov – 3 Dec 20265 nights
- 28 Nov – 5 Dec 20267 nights
- 12–17 Dec 20265 nights
- 12–19 Dec 20267 nights
- 22–27 Jan 20275 nights
- 22–29 Jan 20277 nights
- 5–10 Feb 20275 nights
- 5–12 Feb 20277 nights
- 5–10 Mar 20275 nights
- 5–12 Mar 20277 nights
- 28 May – 2 Jun 20275 nights
- 28 May – 4 Jun 20277 nights
The programmes
The day-by-day programme is representative. Exact moorings shift with the wind, the water level and the season.
Esna to Aswan
5 days, 4 nights
Day 1: Esna and embarkation
Board the Azhar at Esna, settle into your cabin and sail to a first mooring beneath the palms as dinner is served on deck.
Day 2: El Kab and Edfu
Visit the rock tombs of El Kab, then the magnificent, near-perfect Temple of Horus at Edfu, reached by horse-drawn carriage.
Day 3: Gebel el-Silsila
Explore the sandstone quarries and shrine of Gebel el-Silsila, a site closed to the large ships, then swim from the boat at sunset.
Day 4: Kom Ombo and Daraw
The twin temple of Kom Ombo at dusk and the camel market at Daraw, before a final night at anchor under the stars.
Day 5: Aswan
Sail into Aswan past Kitchener's Island and disembark after breakfast, with the Nubian city spread before you.
Aswan to Esna
4 days, 3 nights
Day 1: Aswan
Embark at Aswan, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo in the golden light, and moor on a Nile island for the first night.
Day 2: Gebel el-Silsila
Morning at the quarries of Gebel el-Silsila, then a long, unhurried sail with lunch served as the banks slip by.
Day 3: Edfu and El Kab
The Temple of Horus at Edfu and the tombs of El Kab, followed by a farewell dinner beneath the lateen sails.
Day 4: Esna
A last sail into Esna and disembarkation after breakfast, onward to Luxor.
The Grand Nile Journey
7 days, 6 nights
Day 1: Luxor and embarkation
Board the Azhar at Luxor, settle into your suite and sail beneath the palms as dinner is served on deck.
Day 2: Dendera
Sail to the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor at Dendera, famed for its painted ceilings and carved zodiac, before mooring for the night.
Day 3: The Theban West Bank, sail to Esna
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut, then sail south toward Esna.
Day 4: Esna and Edfu
Through the Esna lock to the magnificent, near-perfect Temple of Horus at Edfu, reached by horse-drawn carriage.
Day 5: Gebel el-Silsila
Explore the sandstone quarries and shrine of Gebel el-Silsila, a site closed to the large ships, then swim from the boat at sunset.
Day 6: Balooli Island
A day of unhurried sailing and quiet islands, mooring at Balooli Island for a barbecue on the sand under the stars.
Day 7: Abu Simbel, Philae and a felucca at sunset
Reach Aswan for the island Temple of Philae and the colossi of Abu Simbel, ending with a felucca sail as the sun sets.
Private charter
By arrangement
Design the voyage
Choose your embarkation, duration and the sites that matter most to you. Our team builds the programme around your party.
A private crew
A dedicated crew of fourteen, a chef cooking to your table, and a guide who travels only with you.
Your Nile, your pace
Linger at a temple, moor early to swim, dine ashore under the stars. The rhythm of the days is entirely your own.
Included
- All accommodation on board the Azhar
- Full board: three meals daily, plus tea, coffee and drinking water
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- All temple entrance fees and sightseeing on the route
- Sailing, mooring and onboard activities
- Daily housekeeping and a crew of fourteen
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Airport and Nile transfers (arranged on request)
- Drinks beyond tea, coffee and water
- Personal expenses, optional excursions and gratuities
- Travel insurance
What guests say
Reviews from Tripadvisor, in the guests' own words.
“We were lucky to be on the maiden cruise of the Azhar. The suites were large and well equipped, each with its own water-level balcony. Luxury cruising with a totally flexible, helpful staff — a trip to remember at a standard to dream of.”
roger m
Sydney, Australia · May 2025
“Nine adults and three children — we chartered the boat for four unforgettable nights, filled with peace and togetherness. Practising yoga on the deck, surrounded by nature and the gentle movement of the water, brought a deep sense of calm.”
GTS Group
Cairo, Egypt · Mar 2025
“An excellent way to tour the Nile. Accommodation, food, staff, guide and itinerary were all first class, with plenty of space on board and time to relax. I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a special experience in Egypt.”
karina
Kangaroo Valley, Australia · May 2025
Sail on Azhar
Tell us your dates and your ocean cruise, if you have one. We reply with availability and a quote. An enquiry is not a booking.
All Nile cruises